1955 DeSoto Fireflite

The 1955 DeSoto model lineup comprised the entry-level Firedomee and the top-of-the-line Fireflite which was longer, wider, and sleeker than any previous DeSoto. All 1955 DeSoto models rested on a 126-inch wheelbase platform and had a length of 217.9 inches (station wagons were slightly longer at 218.6 inches). The Firedome was powered by a 291 cubic-inch V8 with hemispherical combustion chambers delivering 185 horsepower while the 291 CID V8 in the Fireflite had 200 horsepower. The Firedome used a two-barrel carburetor and the Fireflite a four-barrel version. Both were backed by a three-speed manual transmission with an overdrive manual or PowerFlite automatic with 'Flight Control' selector lever protruding from the dashboard being optional.

The youthful and spirited design theme, described as the 'Forward Look' was courtesy of Virgil Exner. Along with lower, longer, and wider body contours, the design incorporated space-age-inspired design cues, a 'Horizon' wraparound windshield, a seven-tooth grille with integrated bumper guards, floating parking lamps, and chrome trim. Both models had model identification on the front fenders. The top-line Fireflite models had unique side color sweep beauty panels on the hardtop and convertible body styles, additional chrome trim, rocker panel trim, and chrome fender top ornaments traversing back from the headlamps. Cars with the color-sweep styling treatments had an A V-8 emblem located on the rear quarter panel. Those without the color-sweep had the V-8 emblem slightly offset, ahead of the gas filler, and in line with the taillamp centerline. The fuel filler was in a new location, now positioned behind a door on the right rear quarter panel.

Body styles on the Fireflite Series included a sedan, Coronado Sedan, Sportsman Hardtop, and a convertible coupe with prices that ranged from $2,730 to $3,150. The combined sedan and Coronado sedan production reached 26,637 units, and 10,313 were Sportsman body styles. Just 775 were convertible coupes.

The Coronado had a three-tone exterior finish treatment and a leather interior. The four-door models had a single, flared side molding with a kick-up above the rear wheel housing.

The interior had aircraft-inspired design cues with a 'gull-wing' dash layout with a level of sophistication that appealed to the marque's upwardly mobile and successful buyers. The interior was roomy, comfortable, and uncannily quiet which helped set DeSoto further beyond the rest of the American passenger-car field. The Fireflite Sportsman had genuine leather-trimmed upholstery while other body styles had silky nylon upholstery and nylon carpeting.

The Firedome and Fireflite were joined by the Adventurer in 1956, a high-performance hardtop coupe that was built in a similar vein as Chrysler's 300B. The Fireflite model would continue until 1960. For 1961, DeSoto's final year of production, only a single V-8 model was offered, described as the Series RS1-L Eight.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020